Have you ever had a really horrible day, then received a great compliment that seemed to turn your mood around? What about when the person in front of you in the drive-thru pays for your food? Even small acts of kindness can brighten someone’s day, no matter how random or minuscule they may seem. There’s always going to be chaos in the world, and we don’t know what situation someone else is in. Even the people in this world that seem the happiest are all experiencing something dark and painful in their lives. A simple gesture taking as little as ten seconds can completely turn someone’s day around! Here’s a few simple ways to make someone’s day.
- Give a meaningful compliment
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When I am going about my day, I silently take everything in around me. I’ll notice a person’s sweater or their freshly done nails. Instead of just thinking in these instances, I’ve trained myself to speak up and let the person know I’m thinking this about them. Let the grocery store cashier know that you think their hair looks great. Compliment someone on their smile or the color of their eyes. Tell someone you love their laugh and the way it spreads to others. Whether it’s a stranger or a best friend, a meaningful compliment can change someone’s day
- Smile at stranger
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A smile is worth more than most people recognize. I once smiled at an elderly woman in a grocery store and she thanked me before I passed her. I asked her why she thanked me and she noted how long it’s been since she made someone smile. She lived alone, had no family around, and most of her friends had recently passed away. She explained how my smile made her feel less lonely and it reminded her that even in her loneliness, her life still has a purpose. If this woman never told me this, I would never know the impact a smile can have on someone’s day.
- Do someone a favor
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Whether it’s offering to carry someones groceries to their car, or holding the door open for someone. This could also mean pumping your friends gas for them, or paying for the person behind you in the drive thru. These simple acts of kindness take just a few minutes out of your day to benefit someone else. Sometimes, basic things such as getting out of bed and leaving the house are hard for some, so making just one aspect of someone’s day easier does a lot more good than most realize.
- say thank you
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Gratitude can make a huge difference in someone’s day. Thank someone for even the smallest gesture as showing your appreciation can make them realize how much they matter. Take a moment to say thank you whether it’s through a phone call, a written message, or with a hug or a handshake. Inform someone of the impact they had on you and thank them for everything they’ve done. This will have much more of an impact than it seems as often, people long to be appreciated and have their good deeds recognized.
